SWNOVELS Prince of Then: Chapter 27
Holly
on the morning of Rose’s wedding, our dear friend Jasmin knocks upon the front door and our work begins in earnest.
We laugh and sing as we string garlands and hang them from walls and rafters, pull pies and cakes from the oven as neighbors arrive and arrange tables outside, weighing them down with food and drink.
Hours pass, and when the final touches are in progress, the time comes to prepare the bride in the way of our family tradition.
Jasmin, Rose, and I dress in long shifts of white and journey to the river in the woods.
In the dappled shade of a weeping willow tree, we sit on the bank, making necklaces of forget-me-nots and marsh marigolds, and weave the excess flowers through our unbound hair. Then we wade up to our waists in the cool stream and scrub Rose’s skin with river stones and wash her hair with the rose and lavender soap our mother prepared specially for this day.
Jasmin squeezes water from my sister’s fair hair, then tosses her own dark locks over her shoulder. “Are you excited for your wedding night, Rose?”
Laughter peals from Rose’s lips. “Yes, of course. And since I’ve already sampled my baker’s most delicious treats, I am assured of a delightful evening.”
“Have you no shame?” I joke, heat rising to my cheeks as I duck my head and hide my smile.
Jasmin, who is known to enjoy a ribald tale or two, sings a shocking song about an extremely lusty bridegroom, changing the lyrics from blacksmith to baker, her voice ringing through the trees. A red-breasted robin chirps in response, and other creatures scramble off through the undergrowth in fright.
Rose and I join the final verse, laughing as we sing about the girth of the fellow’s husbandly attributes. When we finish the song, a hush settles over the forest, and every bird, animal, and blade of grass stills, including us.
“I believe I know that tune,” comes a deep, resonant voice from the bank behind us.
Shivers race down my spine. Looking over my shoulder, I squint into the sun and see the outline of a large man, his body positioned as if he’s staring down at us.
“Or at least one quite like it,” he continues. “Where I come from, such songs are greatly favored.” Then the man steps forward, his face clearly visible.
“Gade!” I cry, splashing through the water onto the bank.
His arms open, and I fall into them, clinging to his waist as if my life depends upon it. My feet fly off the ground, and I’m spun around and around until I call out for mercy, dizzy with shock and joy.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” I say, inspecting him from head to toe.
A glamor hides his pointed ears, the magical glow of his eyes, and the no doubt rich fabric of his doublet and trousers, but not the shocking beauty of his face and form.
“I could wait no longer to see you, Holly. My heart bleeds, my mind and body ache for you. I beg you to put me out of my misery and return home with me now.”
Rose clears her throat as she exits the water with Jasmin, who is wide-eyed and blushing, her bawdy nature dissolving in the presence of a real-life faery.
I move next to the girls. “Gade, this is my sister, Rose, and our dear friend Jasmin. They both know who and what you are.”
“But until this very moment, I didn’t believe the tale,” says Jasmin, her lovely features writ with awe and wonder. “I’ve never met a faery man before.”
Gade’s smile turns mischievous. “Would you like to meet more? I can personally arrange it if it would please you—”
“No,” I shout. “Please, no. Perhaps another time.”
He gives a fond chuckle.
Rose drops a curtsy, her smile broad. “You must excuse our appearance, Your Highness. I’m to be married today, and we’re busy with preparations.”
“A wedding,” he says. “How pleasant. I find myself much occupied with thoughts of similar unions. In fact, they consume me like a fever.”
I frown, and Rose giggles. “Thankfully, our Holly is an accomplished healer and can help you with your malady. You’ve done well to seek her out.”
Grinning, Gade bows. “Indeed. I am wise.”
“What a handsome man you’ve ensnared, Sister,” she says in a none-too-quiet whisper.
I roll my eyes. “Oh, please do not call him Your Highness or praise his looks. Only the grovelers in his court use his title, and believe me, he’s already arrogant enough. His name is Gade, and as far as I know, I’m yet to capture him.”
“But you have, Holly, and I am yours, if you will but accept me. I’ve searched my heart a thousand times and cannot think of one reason why you would reject me.” A smile spreads over his face, setting my heart pounding. “Have I not already pleased you in every way a husband should?”
“Shush,” I scold. “We’ve a maiden in our company.” I indicate Jasmin with my hand.
“Ah,” he says. “Another fine flower. Is every girl in your village named after beings that dwell in gardens?”
“Only the succulent ones,” Jasmin replies, a host of devils shining in her dark gaze.
As he laughs at her comment, his ocean eyes travel slowly along my body. “Surprising outfits that mortal maids wear. There are fae creatures that would raise a brow at the sheerness of the fabric.”
I glance at the wet shift clinging to my figure, leaving nothing to the imagination. “Oh!”
Rose throws her arm across her breasts. Jasmin and I do not.
“I like it a great deal,” Gade says, his smile as hungry as a wolf’s.
My sister chuckles. “Clearly, you have much to discuss with my sister.” She turns to me. “Holly, I’ll be fine to get dressed without you, so we’ll leave you to speak privately. I hope you’ll stay for the ceremony, Gade. Don’t be late, though. It begins in one hour. What shall I tell our neighbors about him?”
“Tell them he’s a cloth trader from the east who rescued me when I was lost in the forest recently.”
Rose nods. “Close your mouth, Jasmin,” she says, taking her hand and pulling her through the woods in the direction of home.
“I would be honored to attend,” Gade calls out, his gaze not leaving mine as the ladies’ imp-like giggles echo behind them.
Gade gathers me into his arms and kisses me until my head spins. “Shall I summon a bower?” he asks, his finger trailing my breastbone.
“Absolutely not. It’s my sister’s wedding day. There’s no time for pleasure until it is over. But, oh, I am so glad to see you.”
His brow furrows. “Glad? That is all?”
I clasp his face and shake it. “I’m thrilled. Amazed. Overflowing with joy.”
“Better,” he says. “Shall we marry alongside your sister so she can bear witness to the happy event? We’ll have a much grander ceremony when we return to Faery.”
“Who said anything about us getting married?” I ask.
I laugh at his expression—the shock of a future king of Faery unable to believe a mortal girl might not want to wed him.
“Holly, do you truly doubt that you are mine and I am yours?”
“I don’t doubt you believe it to be so, and in truth, my heart sings to hear that you want me as your wife. I never dreamed it possible.”
“Then we are in agreement?” He whips off his indigo cape and wraps it around my shoulders. Taking my hand, he leads me up the bank and into the trees. “Your sister will not mind a double ceremony. She seems an amiable type.”
“She is, but I won’t be marrying you today.”
The earth shudders beneath my feet as he stops in his tracks and takes me by the shoulders. “What?”
“I can’t. I mean… I’d love nothing more than to be your bride, Gade, but I’m human. Most of us only give our hearts once in our lives. I couldn’t bear to watch you take fae lovers. I’d go mad with jealousy and sorrow.”
With his hands cradling my head, he kisses me sweetly, then brushes hair from my face. Reverently, he presses my palm against his heart. “My love, I swear upon the Elements, by the breath of life, the blood of flesh and bone, and the ocean’s endless tears, I will never take another to my bed, bower, or even into my arms in desire. You are forever my only one, my love, and thus it shall always be.”
“You love me?”
“I do. A fae prince has no need to utter such words, but I am quick to learn your human ways. And it is true; I love you, Holly.” His lips touch mine. “I love you,” he whispers, then kisses me again. “I love you above all else.”
The temperature drops. Rain falls upon us—a sun shower. Then wind lifts and blows it away, tiny flames from out of nowhere flickering over our clothes.
I laugh, breaking our kiss. “Gade, stop that at once. Someone might see us.”
“Who?” Raising a dark brow, he swirls his finger, and motes of gold twirl down, landing in our hair.
“Please, hide your magic and promise me you’ll keep your glamor on or my neighbors will come for you with pitchforks.”
“Would they not kneel and worship me as a god of old?”
“Well, Jasmin might and perhaps a few other ladies. But the men would chase you out of town with haste before they lost their wives forever.”
He snorts as we start along the path to my village.
“You really believe I’m your fated one?” I ask, my brow pleating.
“Without question.”
“Why?”
“The mark of the eagle on your thigh is visual proof. And then there is the deal Aer made with your mother. Either the chosen bride or their family must be willing, and Lilé, by all accounts, was more than happy to give you to a land where you will be respected and honored for your knowledge of healing instead of vilified for it.”
I sigh, closing my eyes briefly. When I stare into Gade’s face, I know he understands me as no man ever will. He is right—I am his; he is mine. But still, I can’t resist teasing him.
“Hm.” I tap my chin in contemplation. “And what if I insisted on staying in this realm with my sister?”
His jaw drops. “Why would you refuse me?” Flustered, his gaze scans the trees for answers, then he smiles. “Actually, you are bound by two bargains to return to Faery. The one you made with me the night you left, and Nestera has called for the pendant to be returned since you neglected to deliver every item you promised. Have you forgotten her terms?”
“I delivered all she asked for. The bargain is done and dusted.”
“Oh, no, you haven’t. Nestera requested the old Queen Sersia’s favorite honey, not my mother’s. You gave her the wrong honey.”
“But that’s ridiculous. I’ve never heard of this Sersia. Nestera didn’t state which queen she meant.”
“And you, poor bargainer that you are, forgot to ask.”
“Faeries! I will never grow used to your sneaky ways.”
He smirks, clasping his hands behind his back and dipping his face close. “But I predict you’ll grow very used to mine.”
“Well then, it’s fortunate I was only teasing. Of course I’ll be returning to Faery with you.”
“Praise the Elements. I hoped I wouldn’t have to drag you home, but know this, wife—I was quite prepared to do it.”
I draw a breath to remind him we’re not married yet, but think better of it. I’ll let him call me wife as often as he wishes. It’s wonderful to hear him say it.
We exit the forest onto the cart road from where a small section of the village can be seen.
“Welcome to Donore,” I say with a flourish of my hand.
“You truly reside here? This is your village? Here?”
“Yes, it is.”
“My poor love.” He pats my hand resting on his forearm. “If only I had known, I would never have allowed you to return to this vile place.”
Laughing, I shake my head at his frown and quickly change the subject. “Have you visited this realm before?”
“Me?” He points at his chest. “A fae prince? Whatever for?”
I blow out a long breath. “We must work on decreasing your arrogance.”
“Why?” he asks, looking bewildered.
Giggling, I guide him onto a narrow fork in the path that leads to a discreet route behind the town and passes by the wall of my cottage garden.
Before I open the gate, I say, “Gade, remember to keep your glamor in place at all times, and please try not to look too outraged at the simplicity of our lives. This is the human realm. You come from a place where magic and miracles are as common as leaves on trees. Keep your mouth closed and your opinions to yourself.”
“But surely I can use a little magic, some innocent trickery if the opportunity arises? Engage in some harmless entertainment?”
“No. I absolutely forbid it.” Swallowing laughter, I kiss him quickly. “Come, let me show you how mortals live. We may not reside in palaces and possess luxuries, but we do know how to have a good time.”